'English' in Nepalis Education System
-
Amit
Tamang
Twitter: @amitghising
A native English speaker
and workshop facilitator cited an example of a Nepalese political leader who -
in full terms - failed to draw the attention of audience at a public gathering.
Reason: His ineffectiveness in delivering in English.
In Nepalese context, the
necessity of English was felt especially after 1850-51 when the then Prime
Minister Jung Bahadur Rana visited England. Currently, we hear several English
words being used by Nepalese folks from urban and rural areas simply because several
Nepali words have been antiquated. English language itself has transformed a
lot in the history. Nepal and its people have just been a part of global
processes – more connection with outsiders and colonial influence – in using
and learning English at a high pace.
Necessity
of English felt by Nepalese
Every year, a substantial
number of students apply for no-objection letter at the Ministry of Education.
Nepalese students are currently pursuing their higher studies in more than forty
countries and the government has listed some 110 countries for foreign
employment. The need of English has been extensively felt by Nepalese aspirants
- be it a student or someone who is vying for overseas employment. English has indispensably
been regarded as a language for a successful career. Against this backdrop,
several private English medium schools have been offering courses in English. Even
the government/public schools have started teaching in English medium, which
has, as conceived, adversely affected the new admittance to private schools.
However, there remain content-wise and form-wise constraints in teaching in
English.
Forms
of English in Nepalese course books
The foremost issue is
with the form or type of English used in school textbooks. Among different
forms of English in the world, British and American English have always been
the matter of discussion. The point we must understand is the difference in
British and American English in pronunciation, spelling and grammar. To quote
an example: "Spanish is in the
curriculum" is used and preferred by the Americans while the
Britishers prefer to say "Spanish is
on the curriculum". Curriculum Development Centre (CDC) has prescribed
the use of British English in English (subject) textbooks, and publishes books
accordingly. The books published in India for Nepal are also prepared following
British English form. Paradoxically, Janak-published textbooks for the English subject
retain errors in language (spellings, syntax and such) along with low-quality
paper.
The
Role of Approval authority
Besides these, other
publications - despite the approval from CDC - contain mixed British and
American English. Unlike university students, school students certainly feel
bewildered when an English teacher teaches following standard British English
while other subject teachers make use of both forms of English, especially in
written work. As IELTS expects British English and TOEFL American English, the
only fact is not to mix two sorts of English in a single piece of writing or
paper. So, the National Curriculum Development and Assessment Council (NCDAC),
the Minister of Education and Sports, the CDC and the Advisory board(s) must
discuss this issue and implement a unitary form of English in all text books.
Content
in English
All genres are
contained in English textbooks. English text books of grade eight and nine have
been updated by the CDC. There are additional grammar practice questions and
writing tasks. The latter helps to prepare the students for IELTS too.
Situation-based and conversation-based exercises are highly commendable. New
prose such as bird flu and earthquake are also praiseworthy. Also equally
important update is the new summative assessment system with changes in the
number of questions for writing tasks and transformation questions which
indubitably enhances students’ ability in English. However, in literature part,
for instance, the number and types of poems included are not better than those
of previous curriculum. Overall, the book for the subject English is good.
Listening
and Speaking lost in the shuffle
The Secondary Level
Compulsory English Curriculum is entirely based on language skills. Twenty-five
percentage weightage is given to listening and speaking skills which are
supposed to be tested practically. Interestingly, other subjects including
Nepali have also been introduced with twenty-five percentage of practical
assessment. The question is whether this design is to develop overall language
skills or just to allow the schools send full practical marks in order to
significantly increase the number of passed students. Unfortunately, in a
situation where students do not get textbooks on time, the availability of
audio cassette for listening purpose is entirely unexpected. And there is no
provision for inspection of school’s liability for such tests.
The
problem in University Level
In higher studies,
despite the fact that core readings are in English or teaching medium is said
to be English, most lectures and discussions are given in Nepali. In order to
produce human-resources with high degree of competence to compete on the world
level, the universities must also focus on better and correct use of the
international language. Efficiency in English undoubtedly creates spaces, in both
national and international levels, for many of Nepalese graduates who (will)
have graduated from Nepalese universities. In the political sphere too, the
cadres do not only require political education but also language excellence at
least in English so that international representation will be more effective.
And efforts from the students, lecturers and institutes can only establish the
trend.
Action
to take
The signing of Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) between British Council and CDC is a praiseworthy step.
Its results, however, may be seen in future. For the issue raised in this
piece, the action to do is checking the English language, particularly in the school
text books. Along with consideration on grammar, syntax and content, the use of
CDC prescribed English in all subject books will give a uniform track and
common guidance to the school students. And the concerned authority must work
on this without delay before next academic session begins. Grade ten updated
text book for English, which is supposed to be reframed, must not retain any
such errors on any ground. For overall development of skills, of Nepalese
students, in English, authorities must responsibly inspect the medium of
language used in lectures in university campuses.
